PSR-500 Audio Cutting Out

KCChiefs9690 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 10:52 AM

I am new to the PSR-500 and I have noticed that only on digital systems, Ohio MARCS and Delaware County P-25 systems in particular, even though I have a strong signal the audio occasionally cuts off then returns. Also, I am using the RS 800MHz duckie antenna. Is anyone else having this issue? I am running CPU 1.7

Colin

AlabamaRS · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 10:58 AM

check all the "prioritys & make sure NONE are on.

KCChiefs9690 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 11:15 AM

Oh okay il give that a try, I do have a few priority TGs programmed. Il fix it and see how it goes.

Thank you

rickak · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 12:06 PM

These radios have real hot front ends, so they they can get overloaded from intermod, etc. The symptoms of this are as you describe. May want to try running the attenuator and see is that helps.

Rick

dennisjamesnc · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 01:00 PM

Also, be sure to check that you don't have the Weather Priority setting on. I was messing around with my weather priority setting yesterday and noticed the same issue as you. Every few seconds, I would loose about 1/2 of a second of transmission. If you look closely at the bottom line of the scanner display. You will actually see "Wx PRI Check" come up at the same time the transmission drops out. It is VERY hard to see because it happens so fast. It is only on the screen for like 1/4 of a second.

If you want to turn the Weather Priority Check off to see if that clears it up; Hit the Wx button, use the up / down arrows to scroll through the 7 possible weather channels and look for one that says something like Wx7-P. If you find one with a "-P" after the Wx channel number, you have weather channel priority set up. While that channel is displayed, simply hit the "pri" button to toggle it off.

I hope this helps,

Dennis

Citywide173 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 02:26 AM

I noticed this with my Pro-106 last night on the Providence, RI system. I went home and have done the following:

Checked to be sure no priorities were enabled-they weren't

Made sure no Weather Priorities were enabled-they weren't

Upgraded firmware from v1.6 to v1.7

After this, I set up three radios held on the same talkgroup manually. A Pro-96 a Pro-197 and the Pro-106. There was also a PSR-600 scanning nearby that has the talkgroup in it that is connected to an outside antenna. The others were on antennas connected directly to the radio in my basement office.

Results: The Pro-96, Pro-197 and the PSR-600 all have no problems with the talkgroup and do not cut out, but the Pro-106 still has the momentary cut outs. I tried this with both the RS 800 MHZ antenna and my Austin Condor on the 106. Attenuating the 106 results in the signal becoming so degraded that the control channel cannot be decoded. Unattenuated, all radios have a signal of 98-99%

At this point, even though the 106 and 197 were programmed via the same software, I figured I'd clone the 197 to the 106, as the 197 was not displaying the behavior. No change.

I have tried the software with the TGRP Priority Interrupt checked and unchecked without any change.

Watching the display on the 106 closely, the "T" appears when the audio cuts out, seeming to indicate that the radio is attempting to track the trunked system, even though it was already on a voice channel and decoding a programmed TG.

I'm out of ideas.

mfn002 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 12:28 PM

I had something similar happen to me a while ago when I was monitoring the local DPS P25 channel (VHF). I noticed that it was suddenly cutting out during transmissions. I also observed that it would continue to do this even after the channel went quiet. I fixed it by turning the radio off and then back on again. I think it may have something to do with the speaker, because it only did this with the speaker and not with headphones. Of course, mine is nearly two years old and well-used.

DaveIN · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 01:11 PM

Did you adjust the squelch at all?

Citywide173 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveIN

Did you adjust the squelch at all?

yup, full open, full closed and right on the threshold, no change. Cycling the power does not change the issue either. I will try an external speaker.

RoninJoliet · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 04:06 PM

I have the same problem here in Illinois on the ILL-Starcom Digital System...When i first purchased the GRE500 it was great on tracking this system but since 1.6ver this scanner does nothing but "flicker" on most signals from Starcom...My Uniden 396XT trunks the system great using the same RS800duck and sitting in the same spot as the GRE...For some reason the GRE500 is NOT as good as what i origally purchased....My RS197 works great on the same Starcom Digital system...It may be the leaves on the trees and the hot front end of the GRE500 because as mentioned i see all kinds of signal in the meter , then the "T" but then it errodes the signal...

KCChiefs9690 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 05:03 PM

Yes i still have the same problem as the other posters, i've tried all the suggested remedies...I have all priorities turned off, firmware 1.7, tried messing with the attuenuator, and i'm now using the Diamond RH77CA antenna..no change. Very dissapointing.

Skud · #12 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 04:15 PM

One problem I had with my PSR 500 is I was using Win 500 and when ever I used an old saved file I got cut outs on the P25 system here in Michigan just like if I had a priority turned on. I created a new file, created all new talkgroups and entered the trunk channel. Did not import anything for my test and perfect. Something with the old file was the problem. With what ever software you are using, create a new file and enter by hand just for a test. Don't import anything and see if that helps.

escortz28 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 08:02 PM

I was experiencing very similar issues to you on the exact same systems, I live a few miles north of you. We are probably receiving from the same towers. I read a variety of posts on RadioReference and there appears to be a lot of issues reported on P25 simulcast systems, of which I believe Delaware County P25 is a simulcast system. Here's what I have done which seems to be working from a perspective of being stationary at home with either an external antenna or OEM antenna (made changes Friday evening, so I only have several hours of monitoring with the new changes).

1. I created a new file from scratch (I use the ARC500 software)
2. I changed the default setting on MULTISITE, was 'ROAM', is 'STATIONARY'
3. I changed the default setting on CHECK ALL CC, was 'NO', is 'YES'

#2 and #3 were changed both for DelCo P25 and MARCS trunk systems.

The URL below is to a post that clearly articulates the Multisite setting as well as Check All CC.

Do the 106/197 and 500/600 do multi-site?

I have not tried setting Multisite to OFF. If I experience any more issues, I will try this next. All other settings are at default. The attenuators are not activated.

I would be interested in hearing your results if you try #2 and #3 above. If you have any questions, post or send a PM.

Astrak · #14 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 08:12 PM

Set Multisite to Roam then set thresh hold HI to 10 and LO to 5 and only put in the frequencies of the simulcast nearest you. See if that helps, play around with the numbers a little until you get something works.

KCChiefs9690 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escortz28

I was experiencing very similar issues to you on the exact same systems, I live a few miles north of you. We are probably receiving from the same towers. I read a variety of posts on RadioReference and there appears to be a lot of issues reported on P25 simulcast systems, of which I believe Delaware County P25 is a simulcast system. Here's what I have done which seems to be working from a perspective of being stationary at home with either an external antenna or OEM antenna (made changes Friday evening, so I only have several hours of monitoring with the new changes).

1. I created a new file from scratch (I use the ARC500 software)
2. I changed the default setting on MULTISITE, was 'ROAM', is 'STATIONARY'
3. I changed the default setting on CHECK ALL CC, was 'NO', is 'YES'

#2 and #3 were changed both for DelCo P25 and MARCS trunk systems.

The URL below is to a post that clearly articulates the Multisite setting as well as Check All CC.

Do the 106/197 and 500/600 do multi-site?

I have not tried setting Multisite to OFF. If I experience any more issues, I will try this next. All other settings are at default. The attenuators are not activated.

I would be interested in hearing your results if you try #2 and #3 above. If you have any questions, post or send a PM.

I will give that I try when I get home later today, thank you for the help.

Colin

KCChiefs9690 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 02:43 PM

Okay, I changed the setting to STAT and I turned on CHECK ALL CCs, and it still is cutting out intermittantly on the P25 system. I noticed that you created a new file with ARC500, I have WIN500, does the difference in software matter? Also, I didn't import anything into the WIN500 file, I typed it all in by hand.

escortz28 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 08:23 PM

Did you also try setting MULTI to OFF?

Wish you best of fortunes in resolving, especially since Worthington is moving the DelCo P25 system.

As to the software, it does introduce another variable. I did use the import function when I created the new file. Please let us know if you resolve. I noticed the first post to your question in the Ohio Forum was less than helpful.

Colin - do you experience the problem both stationary and mobile (outside of the home)? Is the scanner next to a PC? When I dug into my PSR-500 (removed the case, reseated the circuit card assemblies) I noticed very minimal shielding. I encountered problems when my PSR was within six inches or so of my desktop PC near the clear plastic side. Once I moved my scanner such that it is ~2 feet away, no more issues. The primary issue I encountered was garbled audio that would cut out.

KCChiefs9690 · #18 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escortz28

Did you also try setting MULTI to OFF?

Wish you best of fortunes in resolving, especially since Worthington is moving the DelCo P25 system.

As to the software, it does introduce another variable. I did use the import function when I created the new file. Please let us know if you resolve. I noticed the first post to your question in the Ohio Forum was less than helpful.

Colin - do you experience the problem both stationary and mobile (outside of the home)? Is the scanner next to a PC? When I dug into my PSR-500 (removed the case, reseated the circuit card assemblies) I noticed very minimal shielding. I encountered problems when my PSR was within six inches or so of my desktop PC near the clear plastic side. Once I moved my scanner such that it is ~2 feet away, no more issues. The primary issue I encountered was garbled audio that would cut out.

I use it both stationary, and mobile...but I noticed when I'm at my girlfriend's house in Delaware, I get perfect reception because one of the simulcast towers is literally right in the backyard. At home, I'm a few miles from the closest tower. I guess I'l just have to live with it. Thank you so much by the way for your help I really appreciate it.

Skud · #19 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skud

One problem I had with my PSR 500 is I was using Win 500 and when ever I used an old saved file I got cut outs on the P25 system here in Michigan just like if I had a priority turned on. I created a new file, created all new talkgroups and entered the trunk channel. Did not import anything for my test and perfect. Something with the old file was the problem. With what ever software you are using, create a new file and enter by hand just for a test. Don't import anything and see if that helps.

I did a download from my scanner with Win500, added some more talkgroups and a private wildcad and now I am getting the same thing. And what is interesting is even on the Conv Fire channel, it is doing the same thing. Just like you loose the signal and it comes back right away. That was the only changes, nothing else, just new talkgroups and a Private wildcard.

foggymoon · #20 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 06:37 PM

After reading posts on this problem I decided I would comment. I have the exact same problems with my 106. I had posted about this in the Radio Shack forum about a month ago, but had no good feedback. I am monitoring the Colorado P25 but live about 50 miles away from the nearest town, so I am basically out away from all interference. When it is the worst I am mobile and I am moving closer to the talksys. The problem seems to go away when I am at home and listening inside my house. I have the 800mhz ducky on my scanner. I have tried setting to stationary, roam, and default. I have tried using the attenuator.Nothing seems to help accept to when I am the farthest distance away. I have checked for delays, priorities settings also. I also use win500. Hopefully we can find a resolution.
Thanks